Quote Originally Posted by nameless
usually when I have a cavalry unit do this the Phalanx would already be fighting a cohort or something else so it makes things worse for the Phalanx to turn around.
Yes, pinning is the trick. I think that's related to the point I made about units seeming to have to face a certain direction and not fully adapt to enemies at both sides.

But the situation I was referring to was when the AI realises early on in a battle that it is outgunned and tries to high tail it off the map. Sometimes I can't resist trying to catch them with my cavalry. It's usually a costly decision (although in RTR 5.4, it worked like a dream with companions).

Cavalry has to be done right as in the texts most battles were won due to the Cavalry which mainly just smashed the enemy's rear and flanks and collapse it.
That's interesting - if it is true, then it makes me feel better about the historical accuracy of RTW. Pinning with infantry and charging into the rear with cav is a killer - perhaps the killer - SP tactic in TW games.